Turnout by EDF and GDF SUEZ workers for a day-long strike on 7 April called by five unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, and CFTC) was enough to cut power output by over 15,000 megawatts across the country, according to one of the unions. Over 80% of workers of the two former French government companies were on strike over a plan by the companies to reduce the preferential rates that workers get on electric and gas bills. The unions endorsed the industrial action as a way to express workers’ displeasure with the proposed take-aways. The partial rate discounts amount now to between € 1,000 and € 1,500 annually; workers consider the discounts an addition to their stagnant wages.